Everything Else
Out jogging today and “Smells Like Teen Spirit” comes up in my iPod running mix. I’m like “cool song!” and rocking out as I’m jogging along. Then I pass a 20-something on the path and realize that this song is as much an oldie to him as the Bee Gees were to me when I first heard Nirvana.
Somebody hand me my crutch and tell me when the early-bird-special buffet starts. :-/
Everything Else
To all members of the American military past, present, and future: thank you. Thank you for your sacrifices, your bravery, and for protecting my right to think and speak as I believe. Because of you I have the right to disagree in safety with the powers that send you to war, if I disagree with their reasons to send you. Then, especially then, I value your service even more.
Creative Pieces
Even in a crowded room it is possible to be lonely.
In a room reeking of conversations and coffee, I am here alone, a casualty of the endless progress of newer and faster. Those around me converse with small shiny objects, beeping and flashing. Or with machines showing them brilliant moving paintings, music, endless scrolling text, all the raw words in the universe — prepackaged yet unfiltered.
Sometimes I understand: how can I compete with that? My information is dated, my interaction rigid. Compared to the conversations flowing around me, my presentation is stilted, inflexible. I can be eloquent, but only when allowed the time to speak.
I don’t know the latest jokes, the trendiest phrases; I can’t respond dynamically to your witticisms, or feed you the compliments that you beg for. I cannot participate in the social code swirling around me; I am aware of it, but it is always just beyond my capability. I can communicate only on my own terms. But I will also let you be you; I don’t expect you to change for me, I don’t decide whether you conform to my idea of what you should be before we can talk.
Please. It may take some effort on your part to understand me, to get to know me, to interact with me on my own terms. But I have thoughts and wisdom of my own to offer, if you will only take the time to let me. Pick me up. Please.
Everything Else
Some great historical photos behind the scenes of one of my favorite series of all time.
http://slightlywarped.com/crapfactory/curiosities/2010/rare_star_trek_photos.htm